Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on Nigerians to make regular medical check-ups a priority, stressing that early detection remains one of the most effective ways to manage serious illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases.
Obasanjo made the appeal on Sunday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the official flag-off of the “Lagos to the World Expedition,” an awareness campaign designed to educate people about prostate cancer and encourage regular health screening.
The former president used the occasion to share his personal health experience, revealing that he has lived with diabetes for more than four decades. According to him, proper management, healthy living and routine medical examinations have enabled him to continue leading an active life despite the condition.
The event was held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, where Obasanjo performed the ceremonial flag-off by taking a ride in a BMW vehicle that will be used for the awareness expedition.
The initiative was organised by Nigerian entrepreneur and BMW enthusiast Erik Nwagwu, who said the campaign was inspired by the painful loss of his mother and sister to cancer. He explained that the expedition is dedicated to their memory and aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer, particularly among African men who face a high risk of the disease.
Speaking during the event, Obasanjo said many diseases that cannot be completely cured can still be effectively managed if detected early and treated properly.
Drawing from his own experience, he said Nigerians should not wait until symptoms become severe before seeking medical attention.
“Most diseases that are not curable are manageable,” Obasanjo said. “I have diabetes. I was diagnosed more than 40 years ago, and I still manage it. The important thing is to take your health seriously and follow medical advice.”
The former president explained that maintaining good health requires discipline and consistency. He said regular exercise, proper diet and adequate rest have helped him manage his condition over the years.
According to him, he still plays squash three times every week whenever he is available, while also paying close attention to the kind of food he eats.
Obasanjo warned that poor eating habits can have serious consequences for health, noting that many people often ignore the impact of their lifestyle choices until problems develop.
He also stressed the importance of adequate rest and maintaining healthy social relationships as part of overall wellbeing.
To explain his health philosophy, the former president introduced what he described as the “DREMS” principle, which stands for Diet, Rest, Exercise, Medical checks and Social interactions.
According to him, these five elements are essential for maintaining a healthy life and reducing the risk of illness.
“Diet, rest and exercise are very important,” he said. “Regular medical checks must also be prioritised. If symptoms are discovered early, treatment can begin immediately and the chances of successful management become much higher.”
Obasanjo acknowledged that the cost of medical examinations remains a challenge for many Nigerians. However, he urged citizens not to ignore their health because of financial concerns.
He particularly advised older Nigerians to take routine medical screening seriously.
The former president said individuals aged 60 and above should pay special attention to regular health checks because the risk of developing chronic illnesses increases with age.
“Once you become a senior citizen, you have to take medical tests seriously,” he said.
Medical professionals say many of these illnesses can be treated more effectively when discovered early. Unfortunately, poor awareness, limited access to healthcare and late presentation at hospitals often reduce treatment success rates.
It is against this background that the Lagos to the World Expedition seeks to encourage more Nigerians to undergo routine screening and take preventive health measures seriously.
Speaking about the project, Nwagwu said the campaign carries a deeply personal message.
He explained that both his mother, Prof. Helen Nwagwu, and his sister, Mrs Onyema Eseka, died from cancer, an experience that motivated him to dedicate time and resources to creating awareness about the disease.
According to him, the expedition is designed not only as a journey across continents but also as a platform to spread life-saving information.
Nwagwu disclosed that the project will take place in three stages.
The first stage involves a trip from Lagos to Accra, Ghana, after which he will return to Nigeria. The second stage will take him to Senegal before another return journey home.
The final and most ambitious stage is planned for next year and will involve a journey around the world.
He explained that the route will pass through West Africa, North Africa, Europe and Asia before continuing to North America, Central America and South America.
From there, the vehicle will be shipped to Australia before the expedition continues to South Africa and eventually returns to Lagos.
Nwagwu said the central message of the journey is to raise awareness about prostate cancer, particularly among Black men in sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, prostate cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among men, yet many people fail to undergo regular screening because they do not experience symptoms.
He stressed that waiting for symptoms to appear can be dangerous because the disease often develops silently in its early stages.
To support the campaign, Nwagwu said his organisation is partnering with health technology company Zuri Health to provide free prostate cancer screening programmes.
He noted that the screenings also include blood pressure checks, blood sugar tests and body mass index assessments.
According to him, one screening exercise has already been held in Lagos, while a larger programme is planned in the coming weeks.
Additional screening campaigns are also expected to take place in Accra and other cities during subsequent phases of the expedition.
Nwagwu shared the story of a friend who recently discovered he had prostate cancer despite showing no visible symptoms.
The condition was detected during a routine medical examination, and doctors were able to carry out treatment promptly.
The entrepreneur said the experience highlights the importance of annual health checks.
“Sometimes you don’t have any symptoms,” he said. “That is why people must make testing part of their yearly routine. Early detection can save lives.”
As Nigeria continues to face increasing cases of cancer and other non-communicable diseases, health advocates say awareness campaigns such as the Lagos to the World Expedition can play an important role in educating the public and encouraging preventive healthcare.